Winds Of Eternity Part 25

"From what Barnabas discovered, the first Quentin married young - too young. After a while, he took off, not knowing that his wife was going to have a baby. With his desertion, she went insane. She'd never been very stable to begin with. The family, who never approved of the marriage, sent the twins to stay with Mrs. Filmore, in town. Their mother - died, and Mrs. Filmore was allowed to keep the children, raising them as her own, more or less. The boy discovered in his late teens who he was and left49.

Collinsport, reclaiming the Collins name, never to return. But Lenore had fallen in love with Mrs. Filmore's nephew. They married, and Lenore never knew that she was a Collins. Their daughter was your mother."

"I see. So we're - " she paused to think. "Third cousins?"

"We are. And David is your - fifth cousin, I think."

"He doesn't know, does he?"

"Only Julia, Barnabas and I know. Chris didn't want to claim the relationship since he thought it too slight."

"So. I'm really one of the Collins family?"

Quentin sensed her need to belong. "Yes. You're one of us. Do you know what I'm going to do after I leave here?"

"What?"

"Go back to Collinwood and let everyone know you'll soon be home."

"It'll be nice to see everyone again. Especially David. Has he changed any?"

"You've still got a crush on him, haven't you?"

She blushed. "Oh, Quentin."

"David's a little older, but he's still David. He missed you too." Her crush on David troubled him. But they were still young, there was time for them to change their minds.

"You're kidding me."

"Would I do that to my favorite cousin?"

"Yes, you would."

"At least you're smiling again." Julia came in. "I have to go now. You be good, and I'll see you at Collinwood."

The girl grabbed his hand. "I'm glad you came to see me, Quentin."

"So am I, Princess." He spoke quietly to Julia, then left.

Julia sat beside Amy. "Did you have a nice talk?"

"Oh, yes. Quentin's really very nice. And just like he was when I left. Not like Barnabas."

"Barnabas is different?"

She nodded. "He looks sad. Even when he smiles, his eyes aren't happy."

Amy had always been a sensitive child, receptive to other people's feelings. Especially Barnabas' feelings. "You're right, Amy. Do you remember Angelique Rum-sen?"

"The woman Barnabas knew in England? The pretty blonde one?"

"That's the one. Barnabas found out not too long ago that she's dead."

"What happened?"

"There was an automobile accident in France."

"Barnabas was in love with her, wasn't he?"

"Yes, he was. But he didn't realize it until it was too late."

"I knew she loved him. The way she looked at him when she was here -"

"She loved him a great deal," Julia agreed.

"Is that why he's here?"

"Her death upset him deeply. But having you around, needing him, could be just what the doctor ordered."

"I do need him, Dr. Hoffman. And I always will."

"He needs you just as much."

"Amy's back?" David repeated. "WOW!"

"David, please," his aunt said, smiling at his exuberance. "What happened, Quentin?" She, Maggie, and Carolyn listened as he told the story. "That poor child."

"I know," Maggie agreed. "She's had a rough time. Her parents dying when she was a baby, losing Tom, and now Chris." She shook her head, felt Quentin take hold of her hand.

"You're sure she's alright, Quentin?" Carolyn asked.

"Julia seems to think that she will be once she's back here. Barnabas wanted me to ask you, Elizabeth, if Amy could stay here at Collinwood instead of the Old House."

"I don't see why she can't."50.

"He'll be relieved. He's still not fully recovered himself, and feels the atmosphere over there might be a bit too somber for Amy at the moment."

"Amy's more than welcome, and David could use the company. Since she'll probably take her lessons over here, it will also be more convenient."

"I just hope Amy agrees."

Carolyn's eyes opened wide. "You mean Barnabas hasn't discussed it with her?"

"He planned to this evening."

"You said that Barnabas still hasn't recovered. Why is Julia agreeing to release him?"

"He's better, Elizabeth, but still not himself. I'm not sure he ever will be." He smiled at Maggie. "Join me for a walk?"